Privacy Policy & Disclaimer. Like federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese and other opposition leaders, O'Brien is struggling to get attention among a public obsessed by COVID-19 and the official response. The state Opposition has been unable to capitalise on the Melbourne quarantine debacle, triggering great internal angst. While O'Brien, a former industrial relations lawyer in his late 40s, is liked and respected by many of his colleagues, his decision to dial down the partisan warfare during the pandemic is frustrating them. Smith declined to comment on talk of a leadership challenge. Victoria deserves a government that will deliver opportunity for all. Michael Anthony O'Brien (born 5 August 1971) is an Australian politician. "They have leadership meetings every day.". Michael O’Brien, the Victoria Liberal opposition leader, has repeated his calls for Daniel Andrews to resign following the premier’s appearance at the hotel quarantine inquiry today. Michael is active within the local community and is a member of many local groups including the East Malvern RSL, Malvern Bowls Club and is an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Malvern. Dad, husband, dog and cat owner, Blues supporter, bad gardener and good BBQer (maybe!) Help using this website - Accessibility statement, Guy, who disastrously lost the 2018 election, Susan Ryan was a brave champion of women's rights, Health experts question 'incredibly conservative' road map, Israelis protest outside Netanyahu's home, US tightens exports to Chinese chipmaker SMIC, High-speed, high-cost NBN a turn-off for AFR readers, Six months later, Australia tames the virus, Mikakos resignation 'appropriate': Andrews, ‘Wilder and funkier’ Longrain awaits Melbourne after lockdown, What’s next in fashion? Authorised by M. O’Brien, 157 Spring Street, Melbourne 3000.All Rights Reserved. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Reports today that some houses may not have power restored for up to four more days is a situation that is completely unacceptable. Following Denis Napthine’s appointment as Premier, Michael became Treasurer of Victoria. Once again Premier Daniel Andrews has let us down, leaving residents of 110,000 homes unable turn on the lights or switch on the heater. "We are the only state that has a second wave [...], Victoria Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien has labelled Premier Daniel Andrews' plan to extend state of emergency powers to September 2021, a "power grab". Using Twitter and radio interviews, he has mocked, ridiculed and abused Andrews and the government for months. Michael has already made significant policy announcements including his plans to end household waste being sent to Victorian landfill, the promotion of “energy from waste” technology throughout Victoria as well as a positive agenda to rebuild Victoria’s economy as we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic. An estimated 250,000 employees would temporarily lose their jobs. He was educated at Marcellin College and the University of Melbourne, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce. These are basic functions of government that Daniel Andrews has failed to deliver.